Wednesday, March 11, 2009

So, there are many brides out there who are helping to motivate the rest of us bloggers to get fit and fabulous for our wedding day, and here is the latest edition!! I was waiting to be the official owner of the TRX system before I endorsed it on the internet, but I have actually been using the system with my trainer for the last month... ladies, this is serious business!!

I have always been a gym rat, and continue to be, but the TRX has taken my training to a whole new level. The main premise behind this Navy Seals developed training system, is using suspension. That's right, this is all about using your body as the machine. Every movement that you perform requires immense focus, stability, and strength, but you can adjust the degree of difficult simply by adjusting the vectors (you can tell the engineer in me likes this product!) by repositioning your body relative to the anchor of the system. This system develops crazy balance, core strength, and overall strength... every day I use this I feel the micro-tears all over my body. For those of you just starting out, or if you're like me and really needed a new challenge in the gym, you need to check out this product!

OK, that was my rant... I swear, I am not employed by TRX, just passionate about it. How does this relate to all you brides and maids? This could be the fun, versatile, and challenging tool you are looking for. You know on those days where you are running around with your bride-binder calling on vendors, or the day you spend hunched over the paper cutter repeatedly measuring, cutting and stacking your invites/programs, or the day where you realize you're only a couple months from your wedding day and your arms are just not looking as cut as you would like, well, in comes the TRX. If you even spent 15 minutes on this thing, you will feel worked-over (in a good way, not in the way that your printer smeared the ink on your expensive invite paper!). This isn't a quick fix regime, as I always still encourage cardio training, but it is an extremely effective way to get your body functioning at an entirely new level. This has taken my bridal-bootcamp up a notch, and I can't wait to share my progress with you all... and the best part, my two week vacation in Costa Rica starting on Friday does NOT mean I miss even a single workout... my TRX was the first thing into my suitcase!!

What are you ladies doing to spice up your workout, and keep you motivated in the months leading up the wedding??

Saturday, March 7, 2009

The menu has, like most elements of our planning so far, not come together without some bumps. We knew we wanted to serve fun food, in a casual, homey environment. While the wedding will still be a classy affair, it is definitely more rustic-chic than casual elegance. It's a wedding in the mountains, with all of our family and closest friends by our side... and we want the food to reflect our excitement at having our nearest-and-dearest celebrating with us!

Before the details, I must comment on working with caterers. The Lodge that we have booked has an in-house caterer (ok, he's not technically in-house, but he is their go-to-chef for weddings) that we were strongly encouraged to use. After speaking with said-chef, it became clear that his plan was really not in line with ours... our conversation went something like this:

chef: "Prices start at $38.50/head for a 3 course meal"

me: "Ok, that's great, but we only need you to do a 1 course meal, as we will be DIYing the cocktail hour and dessert"

chef: "Oh, you have to serve a 3 course meal... this is a wedding"

me: "But we don't want 3 courses"

chef: "No no no, it's a wedding, that is how it's done"

me: "I don't care how it's done, I want to do things my way, in budget, with you saying 'yes maam' the whole way" ... OK, that was what Bridezilla said in my head, but you get the idea as to how I was feeling!!

So what did we do?? ... found another caterer!! Listen ladies, this is your day, and regardless of what the wedding industry will have you believe, you don't need to serve your guests the standard hotel-style 3 course meal, just because that is "how it's done". If you like this type of meal, go for it, but if you have your own ideas, you will (and MUST) find a vendor that will work with you, not against you!

So, introducing the new caterer... Donna Marie. This is how our conversation went:

me: "I don't want the typical 3 course wedding meal"

DM: "Great, what did you have in mind?"

me: "A fun, family style cajun meal!"

DM: "Oh, that sounds fantastic... I make a mean cornbread!"

me: "(sigh of relief) Awesome... and by the way, I want it all for under $25/head..."

DM: "This is your day, you tell me what you want, and I will make it happen... within your budget!"

me: "WAHOOO!!!" (I think that was meant to be in my head, but I am pretty sure DM heard it all!!)

So, DonnaMarie from Fernie Fine Foods is making it happen for us. She is fun, honest, sincere, and best of all, completely ego-free. This is not her show, this is our wedding. She knows that whatever we decide in terms of menu, her food will be amazing... so she doesn't need to write the script for how the food will look! I trust her whole-heartedly, and in the see of difficult vendors we have come across, she is truly a breath of fresh air. For all you BC brides, definitely check out Donna Marie and Fernie Fine Foods Catering!!